The Ride

Google Maps needs to improve its reportage of contours. Someone else needs to sort the wind out. Hard day made worth it by seeing the Great Wall, watchtowers, mountains and the look on the receptionists face when I arrived covered in dirt and debris.

Also had a great lunch stop at a petrol station - see photo of the day; I was offered, but turned down, one of the young female employees and dumplings, but I did accept some delicious tofu (if you don't live in China let's take your next question about tofu outside of this blog).

Finally, my day was made on the final climb before descending into Xinghe when a bloke on a little truck pulled up alongside me and offered to race, explaining as he made this invitation that he was the 'Watermelon King' - I could have misheard, but I made him say it three times as we shouted over the sounds of passing lorries. He didn't have any watermelons or a crown/sceptre, but he did win the race.